Carlton fans, it's been another really rough week.
Your team has been viciously questioned, and rightly so. They’ve deserved it.
Despite the subpar performances, coach David Teague has surprisingly remained optimistic.
Bizarrely, he highlighted winning the inside 50 count after the putrid loss against Port Adelaide last Saturday night.
This time last week I was critical of his comments on SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim, in particular the admission that his team ‘might not win’ but that doesn’t matter provided they play the right way.
Unfortunately, the Blues did neither.
Most concerningly for Teague was the news this week that Carlton have hired West Coast premiership coach John Worslfold to be his mentor.
It’s Round 6. The Blues are sitting 11th on the ladder at 2-3. The coach is under pressure and now, suddenly, he has a mentor.
The timing for Teague is horrible.
It’s impossible not to look back on these comments from Carlton football director Chris Judd on Footy Classified in 2019.
“I think we’ve said publicly that we want an experienced coach that can take us to the next level. We don’t want someone with training wheels on,” Judd said.
The club of course is putting a positive spin on the appointment.
“We’ve been in discussions with John for some time, given his existing relationship with David, so it’s terrific to now have this finalised and is another step forward in our commitment to bringing success to the Carlton Football Club,” read a statement from Carlton’s head of football Brad Lloyd.
“David and John have maintained their connection since their initial time in Perth and as part of David’s personal development, John will observe a couple of games this year in a mentoring capacity.
“We are really pleased to be able to formalise that mentorship to now benefit the entire coaching staff.”
The extent of Worsfold’s role, and how many hours he will work remains unknown, although Carlton says he will consult by being in “regular contact with the coaching group”.
Worsfold returned to Perth after his contract at Essendon ran out last year.
My experience tells me that these relationships don’t often work.
For Worsfold, it is going to be almost impossible to be across the ins and outs of the club as well as building meaningful relationships with all the coaches on a part-time basis from 2,700 kilometres away in Perth.
It’s not dissimilar to my queries over how influential Paul Roos will be at North Melbourne in a similar role.
Furthermore, Blues fans could rightly question if the valuable money invested in Worsfold would be better off being spent in the development department considering how some of its younger players have stagnated.
On the eve of Round 6 this appointment unquestionably puts more pressure on Teague.
Chris Judd’s comments must be ringing in the ears of every Carlton fan right now.
How do you feel about this appointment?
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